Choosing your Diploma in Christian Studies ConcentrationsWe have been announcing various "concentrations" to help those with special interests pursue a graduate level, study programme at BGST. Previously our Diploma in Christian Students was simply the first year in a two-year Master in Christian Studies (MCS) or in a three-year Master of Divinity (M Div).

In the new arrangement, students are urged to register for a programme aimed at completing the requirements for a Dip CS (30 credits) within a period of two years. Those who wish to take a longer time may still do so, at a lighter pace of course. We are happy to announce now SEVEN DIP CS CONCENTRATIONS to be implemented over the next two years. They are:

Look out for the brochures giving the details for the 2002 concentrations.

1. Bible Lands Study Tour. Praise God the group visa has been issued - on the eve of the group's departure. We have considered carefully all the factors and have decided the tour is on. The group, comprising 21 persons, led by Dr Quek Swee Hwa, will travel to Turkey and Israel, Dec 5th to 14th. A number of Singaporeans working in Israel hope to join them for portions of the tour.2. Rev & Mrs Samuel Kim and their two sons stopped over briefly at Changi Airport before going on to Cape Town, South Africa, where their Mission, the Korean Seamens' Mission has a flourishing work. They may minister there for the next three years instead of going on to New York City.3. Welcome back, Walter Edman! We are glad you're back in time for the Introductory Module of TENT 2002, Dec 6-8, held at the Discipleship Training Centre. Walter will be teaching for Term 1 in 2002 and hopes to return to the USA to finish his doctoral degree. We shall miss you, Walter!

Chapel last week (Nov 28) was taken by Ms Tirzah Cheers nee Kengoo (Dip CS, 1994), who spoke from Ps.34:1 on the theme of thanksgiving. A thankful heart, she began by noting, places God at the centre of our lives. As a result we experience God and know his blessing. Our trust in him increases, and our sense of his sovereignty. Thanksgiving helps us to focus on God as Giver rather than on the blessings he gives. Thus we gain a better perspective and come to have a better sense of God's will. To those who seek him with a thankful heart, God reveals his will. Thanksgiving is what should underlie all our worship of God as we respond to him in prayer. It helps us to cultivate the godly contentment spoken of by Paul in 1 Timothy 6, and an attitude that can honestly praise him in all situations.

After her chapel address was over, Ms. Kengoo also told us about her present work as a lecturer in Business Communication at Temasek Polytechnic, and about situation in Nagaland, N. India. We were also privileged to hear from Miss Alfsen, a long-standing Norwegian friend of Dr. Quek, as she shared about a simple evangelistic booklet that she is hoping will be widely used throughout East Asia.

Chapel this week (Dec 5) will be taken by Dr. Philip Satterthwaite. This will be the last chapel he takes before he leaves for Cambridge, UK, for six months' sabbatical. While he and Eileen his wife are in Cambridge they both hope to complete books (on OT and NT respectively). In his chapel address he will be offering some reflections on his first three years in Singapore as well as sharing his hopes for future ministry.